Meet Ronne Rock | Marketing Executive, Author, and Speaker

We had the good fortune of connecting with Ronne Rock and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Ronne, how has your perspective on work-life balance evolved over time?
When we think about the phrase, “work-life balance,” it’s traditionally divided into two tidy buckets.

The first bucket is filled with things related to career, ministry, volunteerism, and education.

And the life bucket? It’s packed with meal prep, workout schedules, invitations to birthdays and weddings and baby showers, and if we’re fortunate, a bit of space for whispering a time-crunched prayer.

But the reality is that our lives are far more complex than activities on a calendar. The two buckets are joined together by a single handle. We navigate celebration, loss, external pressure, internal angst, joy, and grief at the same time we navigate how to keep the new pup from chewing the rug.

I would love to tell you that I have slayed work-life balance.

But that would be disingenuous. Tips and tricks may work for job interviews or baking bread, but they fall short when it comes to the way we live our lives.

Instead, I’ve got three things I believe we need to gather as we carry those buckets. But first, there are a few things I want you to know:

1. I believe balance is overrated. I’m a person of faith, and I believe God reveals Himself fully in the ups and downs. We learn to lean in, to share strength with others, to trust, to breathe.

2. There are seasons that are “all-in” moments where extra amounts of grace are extended, extra reserves of energy are discovered, and extra helpings of caffeine are welcomed.

3. I am a workaholic who comes from a long line of workaholics. I was diagnosed with anxiety disorder two decades ago in the midst of one of the most successful chapters of my career. That drive still shows up from time to time, and we have serious discussions when it does.

Now, I believe that everything about us—the good days, the hard seasons, the accomplishments and disappointments, the feelings we feel, and the way we think—is purposeful and meaningful and has a place in our stories. What we gather helps us walk through the days and seasons with grace and mercy.

Gather Thoughts: Our attitudes and actions are a reflection of what we’ve invited into our hearts and heads. I do what I can to gather thoughts that are hopeful, gracious, and loving – even in the most difficult of circumstances.

Gather Perspective: I’ll admit, there are days you’ll find me praying in the shower or listening to an uplifting song on Spotify, but I’ve learned that how we respond to what the days hold is directly impacted by how we tend to our souls before the day begins. If I approach the day with a healthy perspective, I’m not normally knocked off-course as easily.

Gather People: Invite others into your life who will ask honest and vulnerable questions about all that you are gathering. Learn to ask permission rather than forgiveness of those who are closest to you during necessary seasons of ‘all-in’. I smile when I think about C.S. Lewis’ words, “The next best thing to being wise oneself is to live in a circle of those who are.”

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I’ve always seen story in everything—everyday activities, the quiet of a sunset, world events. In many ways, my career path has focused on doing just that…telling stories. I began my journey in local television, as assistant producer for an early morning news and entertainment show. It was there I realized stories had the power to CHANGE stories, as I worked on projects that impacted the local community in positive ways. That led to moving to a major market to launch a sales marketing department that allowed the television station to invest in the community in significant ways (parks were built, emergency relief efforts provided for thousands of people, school districts benefited from scholarships, and more) – all funded by advertisers. I then worked for a major airline and a global entertainment giant, focusing on marketing that made a difference for both consumers and business partners. My team and I were honored nationally for our work. I am ever-thankful for every moment.

I stepped back into television as Marketing & Community Affairs Director after relocating to a new city. While the passion was still there, I found myself longing to invest in an even greater way into stories that changed stories. So, I took the leap into the nonprofit world. For more than a decade, the storyteller in me has painted pictures of hope set against landscapes of scarcity due to poverty, oppression, illness, neglect, and isolation. The work of tangible hope (food, water, education, emotional support, and spiritual care) is some of the most challenging – and the opportunities for people to connect and invest in that care are greatly rewarding. I’ve worked in North, Central, and South America, Africa, Asia, Eastern Europe, and Russia. And I’ve been blessed to take a lot of people with me on the journey. I have an incredible team that does not only marketing but special initiatives including signature events and a growing social business.

It was through global storytelling that a new passion grew within me—to not only share the stories but to help others learn to tell stories with dignity and integrity. I now coach writers and nonprofit professionals on ethical storytelling and fundraising, how to move patrons to partnership, and (for creatives) how not to lose your soul as you share your craft with the world.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
In Dallas:
Favorite place for an in-the-city walk: Katy Trail
Favorite sushi: Oishii
In Fort Worth:
Favorite time of the year: Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo
Favorite afternoon excursion: Cultural District (so many great museums)
In Austin:
Best spot for a sunset: On a boat on Lake Travis
Favorite weekend jaunt: Visiting the wineries in the Texas Hill Country
In the UK:
Best Italian meal: La Locanda (Ediburgh, Scotland)
Best tapas: Cafe Brindisa (my favorite is in Kensington, London)
In Africa:
Best place to kiss a giraffe: Giraffe Centre (Nairobi)
Favorite overnight adventure: Glamping in the Masaai Mara
In Eastern Europe:
Best beverage: Sea Buckthorn with Honey and Cinnamon (Latvia)
Best main dish: Satsivi (Russia)
Best dessert: Varenyky with Cherries and Sweetened Sour Cream (Ukraine)
In Western Europe:
Favorite breathtaking moment: Sagrada de Familia (Barcelona, Spain)
In Latin America:
Best sunrise: On the shore of Lake Atitlan (Guatemala)
Favorite adventure: Capybaras and alligators in the Ibera Wetlands (Argentina)
Best home cooking: Ena’s Mission House (La Paz, Honduras)
Best way to step out of your comfort zone and make a difference in the life of a child: Travel with me and Orphan Outreach.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I am thankful for the women I’ve met and worked with around the world who have inspired me to think boldly, be resolute, and change the world around me. They are featured in my book, One Woman Can Change the World.

Website: http://ronnerock.com

Instagram: http://instagram.com/ronnerock

Facebook: http://facebook.com/ronnerockwrites